at I'll do, Haynes," proposed Dick pleasantly.
"I can see your point of view---from your side. I don't believe
it would be the view of the class. But, if you wish, I'll call
a class meeting and lay the whole proposition before them."

"You mean that you'll try out class feeling by resigning and suggesting
me for your successor?" asked Haynes eagerly.

"No; I'll state the substance of our conversation this afternoon,
and then you can say any thing you may have to say on the subject.
Then I will put it to the class whether they want me to resign so
that you can be elected in my place."

Haynes turned several shades more red.

"That would make a fool of me!" flashed the turnback.

"It would be a statement of your own proposition, wouldn't it?"
asked Dick, with another smile.

"Stop your laughing at me, you-----"

"Careful!" warned Dick, but he threw a lot of emphasis into the
single word.

"Prescott," choked the turnback, "you're trying to make my idea
and myself ridiculous!"

"Haven't I stated your proposition fairly?" challenged Prescott.
"You think that, because you are a turnback, you have more right
than I to the class presidency. If that isn't your attitude,
then I shall be glad to apologize."

"Oh, pshaw, there's no use in trying to make you see the matter
with my eyes," muttered Haynes in disgust.

"I'm afraid not, Haynes. If the fellows don't want me as president
I would insist on resigning. But I am sure the class would rather
have almost anyone than a turnback. I hope, however, there is
no hard feeling?"

Prescott held out his right hand frankly.

"I hope there will be, as you say, no hard feeling," mumbled Haynes,
accepting the proffered hand weakly.

Then the turnback left the room. Down the corridor, however,
he strode heavily, angrily, muttering to himself:

"The conceited puppy!"

CHAPTER XI

BRAYTON MAKES A BIG APPEAL

For a moment or two Dick stood looking out of his window, across
the far-stretching plain that included the parade ground and the
athletic field.

In the near distance the football squad was finishing up its practice
in the last moments of daylight. Brayton was captain of the Army
eleven, and was a good deal discouraged.

"Queer idea Haynes had!" muttered Dick to himself.

Then he turned back to his desk and to the neglected chapter on
"Sound" in natural philosophy.

Dick, however, was not fated to study much.

First of all, back came Greg, op